Armin van Buuren

Armin van Buuren, OON, was born on December 25, 1976, in Leiden, Netherlands, and has established himself as a preeminent figure in the trance music scene as a producer and DJ. His remarkable career is highlighted by being named the world's top DJ in DJ Magazine's annual Top 100 poll for four consecutive years—2007 through 2010—making him the first DJ to achieve this milestone.

Since 2001, van Buuren has captivated audiences worldwide with his weekly radio show, A State of Trance, which boasts over 30 million listeners across more than 40 countries, solidifying its reputation as one of the most popular radio programs globally. His 2008 album, Imagine, made history by debuting at number one on the Dutch album chart, a significant achievement for a dance artist in the Netherlands.

In the early stages of his career, van Buuren operated from his own studio, but after the release of his third album, he began collaborating closely with Benno de Goeij from the group Rank 1 on various projects. He is particularly renowned for his annual "Year Mix," a compilation of the year's most influential trance tracks, meticulously crafted over several months. Each mix features around 85 tracks, expertly woven together into a two-hour experience that is released on CD and aired on his radio show, showcasing his dedication to the craft through extensive audio editing and production techniques.